A MAN who stole a nurse’s car keys while she was at work has been jailed for 44 weeks and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Craig Knapp, 37, of Park Crescent, Brynmawr, took the car keys from the treatment room at Blaen y Cwm surgery in Brynmawr and drove home in the nurse’s car, which contained a purse carrying £150 cash.
Knapp, who pleaded guilty to all charges, was told by the judge during sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court that he had committed “very mean” offences.
On January 18, nurse Cheryl Thomas drove to her work at Blaen y Cwm surgery in her Nissan Juke, putting her car keys in the treatment room on arrival.
At 4.40pm, Ms Thomas left the treatment room to use the bathroom, passing Knapp and another man on the way.
When she emerged, she saw Knapp in the treatment room and asked him what he was doing.
Knapp said he was looking for a nurse because he had scalded himself. Ms Thomas inspected Knapp’s injuries and saw he had blisters.
Later when Ms Thomas went to gather her belongings, she discovered her car keys were missing.
She then found her car was missing too. Among the items left in it were her handbag, purse, groceries and clothing. The purse contained £150 cash and several bank cards.
The following day, Knapp was arrested after Ms Thomas’ car was found parked near his house.
He admitted taking the car and told police where the keys were hidden.
The car — estimated to be worth £10,000 — was undamaged and returned to Ms Thomas, along with the groceries and clothing.
No attempt had been made to use the bank cards. However, the purse containing £150 was not recovered.
The court heard that Ms Thomas no longer feels safe when driving her car, nor when she is at the surgery where she has worked for 15 of her 22 years as a nurse.
When sentencing Knapp for theft and for driving without a licence or insurance, the judge said he should feel “thoroughly ashamed” of what he did.
